Geographical areas which receive annual rainfall of at least 19.7 cm/year and have a mean average temperature of 30 ° C and slightly acidic soil are the most favorable for growth and agriculture of tea.
Tea plants are propagated sexually by seeds or asexually by vegetative of clonally propagules.
The seeds are first planted in the raised nursery beds. After one year, when the plants reach a height of about 20 cm, the saplings are transplanted in the main garden.
The majority of tea plants cultivated globally are grown in compact rows and are pruned and maintained as roughly rectangular shrubs at a height of 1-1.2 m in what is termed a picking or plucking table.
Although machines are used for picking the leaves at many plantations, almost all of the highest quality tea is till picked by hand. The picking of tea leaves is a skilful job which needs patience and judgment.
New growth is harvested at intervals of 6-12 day, depending on the climatic conditions.
Cultivation of tea
